|
Rafferty
Introduces Police Officers Protection Act
HARRISBURG -- State
Senator John Rafferty, Jr. (R-44), joined with the State Representative Dennis
O'Brien this afternoon in the Capitol rotunda to announce the introduction of
legislation to increase penalties for crimes committed against police officers.
Joined by State F.O.P. President Mark Koch and members of the Pennsylvania State
Police, along with various county and local law enforcement officers, Senator
Rafferty announced his intentions to work tirelessly with Representative O'Brien
and the Fraternal Order of Police to get this legislation through the General
Assembly.
“We owe a great deal of
gratitude to the fallen officers of this Commonwealth. They gave their lives to
protect the citizens of Pennsylvania. Now it is time to for us to repay that
favor and offer our protection to officers serving in this Commonwealth. We
want to send a very clear message to any individual who assaults or kills a
police officer in the State of Pennsylvania. If you assault or kill a police
officer, you will pay a very stiff price for your crime”, Rafferty said.
Rafferty's legislation
provides a separate section within the crimes code specifically increasing
penalties for criminal homicide and assault of a police officer. A mandatory
sentencing provision is contained within this legislation which assigns
mandatory minimum sentences for crimes committed against a police officer.
 
Sen. John Rafferty (R-44) speaks at a Feb. 14 news
conference in the Capitol Media Center in support of legislation that
would create the Police Officers Protection Act. The measure would
increase the mandatory sentences for those who knowingly assault or kill
a police officer in the line of duty. Rafferty was joined by
county sheriffs, local police officers and State Police officers from
around the Commonwealth.
|
